Are you worried about your child and bicycle safety? Here are some hints and suggestions to get them to wear a helmet, follow rules, etc.
Have you just bought your child a new bicycle and you naturally are concerned for his safety as well as
wanting him to take care of this new purchase? Let's
discuss a few suggestions on the aspects of owning a bike.
Sometimes when a child first gets a new bike he tends to be irresponsible with a bike and doesn't seem to be concerned with the care of the new bike. Sometimes a child isn't being irresponsible intentionally, he just needs to be
taught to be responsible, and you can accomplish this with a little patience.
First of all, sit down with the child and write out a list of do's and don't for his owning the bike. You might even put this in a place on his bike on maybe even a clip board or let him carry it in his pocket or in his wallet so he can easily refer to this checklist and also realize that for him to have the bike he will need to follow your guidelines for his safety and to keep his bike in working order. Tell him that when a person can to fly a big plane, he needs to have a checklist before taking off from the landing field at the airport, otherwise he may not ever
get off the ground.
Let him know that if this bike is damanged that you will not be buying another as you will not spend more money on another bike and he will not even be allowed one as a gift from a family member. Tell him the next bike will have to be arned through chores, odd jobs, etc. and that you will
not be giving him another. This tends to help a child realize that he needs to care for his possessions.
We need to discuss bike safety: that is so very important, this cannot be left undiscussed as it could endanger your child's life and you don't want to risk his getting in harms way because you have not instilled a drive for safety through your talks with him and your checklist.
If you let your child just do what he wants with his bike, chances are he will get injured or perhaps even injure a smaller child. If you see him riding this bike recklessly you will need to take immediate possession of the bike and tell him a time period that you will not allow him to ride the bike. Sure, it will happen, but don't be too upset and think 'Oh, my child will never learn to be responsible.' Yes he will: it takes your patience and your love and help.
Now we need to talk about a helmet, if your child learns this is necessary to be able to ride his bike then he will accept this: start out the first day telling him that he needs this helmet. Be sure that the fit is proper also for him. Make sure the helmet is like his friends have: if you buy one that you like, chances are he won't like it. Take him with you to the store and let him pick out a really safe helmet that he will like also.
I know with my suggestions you and your child will do fine with the new bike: he will be safe and you will be satisfied with his actions.
